Will Cheyney is a design director of the London Company Poke design who came to give us some advice about the industry. He explained all the projects he has been involved in and outlined how he got the job- the notes that I took from his lecture are below- Although the work he displayed wasn't my cup of tea since it was more web and user experience related I feel like we should invite him to the end of year show since he took the time to come talk to us and did the same course. I know that others in the class really enjoyed his work too and as he mentioned he is in charge of recruiting new designers so it could be really beneficial for some of my classmates.
Poke London Notes
Did the same course- 2002-2005
NOW - he did freelance- and then got a job at Poke. 2006 wired there ever since.
Poke- 60 staff - digital agency - advertising world- clients who want to sell things- web stuff- lots of web design.
Here East Project
There was a large area in London (Warehouses that were used to house the press throughout the Olympic Games) that needed a purpose. Poke were involved in the strategic planning of how the space could be repurposed.
The Product
A technical hub that would become the most connected place in London. Infinity data centre, two tenants - Bt sports broadcast from this building. Degree of office - but also allows for independent sellers- centre of the buildings wrap around a courtyard- the idea is that companies share the space, big and small companies collaborate which isn't possible anywhere else. Also responsible for the branding and the marketing - websites and agents - apps etc. Clients wanted a flexible name , various logos and branding - presented the website as various visions for what it could be - selling the concept and the idea of the space.
Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones exhibition, actors, props, costumes within America - Now they wanted to make it bigger so they opted to include various countries within this.
The Product
Branded the exhibition with an additional logo, created the website to sell the event and also created some interactive virtual reality experience and interactive photographs that promote the show. Once you have a ticket - you have a digital companion - which links all the various photographs to your account.
Ted Baker
Interactive christmas app/game find the various elves to win prices. Using Facebook and Instagram - possibly buggy but was risked and was supposedly very popular- fast quick project.
Mulberry
Redesigning a luxury brand online.
The Product
Went to the store for some research about the experience in order to create branding that retained the continuity of the in store branding. The Website includes sizes, care info, size information, shop the look. Poke also improved the search optimisation, the sales process and also encouraged the company to join twitter. The checkout process was further refined on its various platforms in order to ensure usability. The idea was that the website should reflect the skill and craftsmanship used to generate the bags on the site.
4GEE Remaster
The Product
Using the original Youtube video (Fenton) Poke created a short higher quality version of the video which they used as an advertising background for 4GEE. The video was inspired by the slogan - 4GEE makes everything epic so Poke capitalised on how Youtube shorts could be made better and more professional.
Lonely Planet
Advertised the books online. Redesigned the website.
The Product
Makes the books more accesible - create your own book based on various snippets that the audience could curate.
Orange - Predict- A- Chick
Ran a campaign for Orange- a game and app etc in order to promote brand awareness. (Before EE)
The Product
Predict a Chick was one of the ideas from the website - every week promoted a new brand awareness idea- Poke turned this into a game - people had to guess which egg was going to hatch first, second and third - and people one prizes if they got it right. It used a live stream of real eggs as they hatched. Small quick fun ideas that helped to promote Oranges brand.
Orange -Chattery Teeth
Chattery teeth were powered via tweets and went round a track. Again involved audience interaction in order to get it to move and used a live video stream method. It promoted the new tariff the more you talked the more money you got of. The idea reflected this.
THE ENVIRONMENT
POKE has a good culture and atmosphere.Dress up days, internal briefs that help with team building.
Poke Radio- Communal music system that is powered through spottily - collaborative playlist system.
HOW HE GOT THE JOB
Showed them how to make a cup of tea- the role of juniors etc
Created a little interactive element - in order to sell himself- designed a html email. Followed and explored the company in order to sell himself in the right way. Tailored CV towards the company made the difference.
Freelance
Positives
Your the boss
Flexible
Variety
Negatives
No defined career path
High pressure
Don’t get to own projects
Full Time
Positives
Part of a team
Time to develop and grow into new job roles- hone skills
See a project from start to finish
Stable
Negatives
You aren’t the boss
Less Flexible
Own Business
Positives
Your the boss
Collaborate with the right people
Hugely satisfying
Negatives
Hard work
High risk
Business mind essential
Common Sense Dressed Up
How to get a job
THE FEEL OF THE COMPANY
Find a good match- get a feel for the industry look at what agencies are doing, follow and favourite on twitter. Like dating, good ones, bad ones and some stinkers. Follow agencies blogs, work, twitter so you can get a feel for the company. All about the culture of the company which has a massive impact on the job.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
Find out everything about the company
Find an angle
Know their portfolio
Tailer your portfolio
Have Questions- prepare answers
Be Different
Interview situation is a two way thing- interact with them make sure you are proactive.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITES
What stuff do you do outside of work? Inspiration - show them who you are
Personal projects- don’t have to relate to the industry.
Designer we hired about 2 months ago - be inspiring - be fresh.
Be passionate
Be hungry to learn
Go in be very open - etc
BEING A NEWBIE
It’s a good thing
Fresh pair of eyes
Flog it- eager keen
YOUR WORK
Present it clearly
Show your workings out - process.
Be Selective- all projects
Less is more
Only the best
MAKE STUFF UP
Set yourself your own briefs - personal projects.
Personal Projects can become real things - etc
You are a swiss army knife- lots of skills
COLLABORATION
Have to work as a team in harmony with everyone else. Get in sync with that. Rewarding, better results more variety and complements the overall design.
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